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Cauda Equina Syndrome is a characteristic complex of neurological symptoms that results from damage to the end of the spinal cord known as the cauda equina.
Horse tail syndrome – how to understand it?
The spinal cord runs from the brain downward in the spinal canal (like a pipe). At different altitudes, the nerves innervate the relevant parts of the body – transmitting information to them from the brain, and at the same time nerves that receive nerve information from the innervated parts of the body reach it. Thanks to this, we feel when someone touches us, we take our hand away from a hot pot, we feel that we are walking when we raise our left hand, we know that it is the left hand, not the right hand, etc.
Why does cauda equina syndrome occur?
The nerves from the cauda equina go to the lower limbs, the perineum, and to internal organs such as the intestines and bladder. In the cauda equina syndrome, they are damaged due to discopathy – a prolapse of the intervertebral disc or the presence of a tumor in the end section of the spinal cord.
Horse tail syndrome – consequences?
Nerve damage in this area leads to:
- paresis of the lower limbs with weakened muscle strength, with the foot falling,
- low back pain radiating to the buttock, back of the thigh or calf, or even the foot
- sensory disturbances – occurring with stripes, piercing pain, numbness,
- inability to urinate
- constipation
- sometimes also for urinary and faecal incontinence.
Who is the alarm going off?
Suspicion of a syndrome requires the intervention of a neurologist and a neurosurgeon. The cause of the syndrome is identified on the basis of a neurological examination and imaging tests, i.e. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging of the lower spine.
The best neurologist